Hogan hears unity’ theme at DNC

Wednesday

Shawn Hogan was elected to support Hillary Clinton, but he’s Barack Obama’s guy now.

Shawn Hogan was elected to support Hillary Clinton, but he’s Barack Obama’s guy now.

The Hornell mayor and Steuben County Democratic Committee chairman has been taking in the sights and sounds of the Democratic National Convention, rubbing shoulders with governors and big city mayors, and, incidentally, the senator from?New York who made a historic run for the presidency.

The delegate for the 29th Congressional District called Clinton’s speech Tuesday night “unbelievable” and that the message of party unity is really taking hold.

“Last night was unbelievable, it was actually the governor of Montana (Brian Schweitzer) really got the place rocking there with a good old downhome attitude,”?Hogan said. “Then Hillary came on and she hit a home run, she did what everyone was hoping she would do. It wasn’t about her to her supporters, it was really about the nation and making a better country for the returning veterans, the single mother, the whole drill. It was unbelieveable.

“She had that place rocking,”?Hogan said.

Following the speech, the delegations from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida were invited across the street to Invesco Field at Mile High for another rally.

“So we all walk over there and just thought it would be a little social gathering. In walks Bill Clinton, Hillary,?(Pennsylvania Gov.) Ed Rendell, (New Jersey Sen.) John?Corzine and Bill Nelson, the senator from Florida. Hillary gave a big speech, she urged everyone in there and work hard for Obama. (New York Gov.) Dave Paterson was there, he gave a little talk

“Rendell kicked it off, then Corzine, then Paterson, then Hillary spoke, she introduced Bill Clinton. He was very positive, very supportive of the Obama ticket. He said, ‘You all worked for Hillary, you all have to go out there and work for Obama.’”

The political whirlwind began Monday with Hogan and his wife, Holly, meeting with Hillary Clinton and then with Paterson and his wife, Michelle. The New York delegation listened to a speech by Caroline Kennedy during a breakfast that morning in honor of the 19th Amendment, followed by Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-28th).

The convention area, Hogan said, is “a mob scene” and that once delegates enter the building, they can’t get out due to security concerns.

“If you’re going to get out of line, I wouldn’t do it here,”?Hogan said.

Today Hogan will help plant a tree with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper as part of a Day of Sharing sponored by the Democratic National Committee.

The Evening Tribune

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